Dum Dums' sweet tribute to retiring candy maker will warm your heart

Al poses with a conveyor belt of Dum Dums, the candy he made for 48 years. (Source: Facebook/Dum Dum)

(RNN) - Spangler, the company that makes Dum Dums, posted on Facebook that an employee is retiring after 48 years. "Al," who has made more than 50 billion candy suckers during his long career, told the company he didn't think anybody would care about his retirement.

But they posted it to Facebook, and the story has blown up. Thousands of posters shared stories that were funny, heartwarming and sweet about how Dum Dums affected their lives.

Robin Dobbins of Ohio told of how her son did a school report on the candy because it was made in their home state. The company sent enough suckers for the whole school.

"So thank you Al, for being a part in that and all your years of service," she said.

Kim Shafer Roundgren remembered that her infant son, who died at the age of 6 months and never was able to come home, did have one treat in his little life - he loved strawberry Dum Dums. She still has what remained of them, packed away in his things, after 16 years.

"From the bottom of my heart, thank you, and thank you for Jonathan," she said. "You made his brief time on this earth a little better. #thanksAL

Kate Fox: "Your were essential to my eighth-grade student council presidency campaign. Your work is a part of my and a billion others' happy memories."

Bonnie Lynn: #ThanksAL My grandpa is 90 years old, lives in a nursing home, and has dementia. He LOVES his Dum Dums. We unwrap them, put them in a bowl and he helps himself. We visit every day and unwrap more! TY for your service to Dum Dums!"

“I want them to forget about what’s gonna happen next and I just want them to forget about all that and live a normal, happy life," said Nolan Adams, who gathered 176 gifts for children at a Sioux Falls children's hospital.

“I want them to forget about what’s gonna happen next and I just want them to forget about all that and live a normal, happy life," said Nolan Adams, who gathered 176 gifts for children at a Sioux Falls children's hospital.